Barney: ‘Modern Family’ contract dispute settled

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FILE - This Sept. 18, 2011 file photo shows Ty Burrell, left, Julie Bowen from the television series "Modern Family" holding their Emmys for best supporting and actress actress in a comedy, backstage at the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Five stars of the hit ABC series sued 20th Century Fox Television on Tuesday July 24, 2012, claiming their contracts with the studio are illegal under California law and should be invalidated. (AP Photo/Jae Hong, file)

FILE - In this March 3, 2012 file photo, actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of the play "8" in Los Angeles. Five stars of the hit ABC series sued 20th Century Fox Television on Tuesday July 24, 2012, claiming their contracts with the studio are illegal under California law and should be invalidated. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File)

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FILE - In this March 29, 2012 file photo, Sofia Vergara poses for pictures at the announcement of Food for Thought at Figueroa Elementary School, in Los Angeles. Five stars of the hit ABC series sued 20th Century Fox Television on Tuesday July 24, 2012, claiming their contracts with the studio are illegal under California law and should be invalidated. (AP Photo/Katy Winn, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 29, 2012 file photo, Eric Stonestreet arrives on the red carpet at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles. Five stars of the hit ABC series sued 20th Century Fox Television on Tuesday July 24, 2012, claiming their contracts with the studio are illegal under California law and should be invalidated. (AP Photo/Vince Bucci, File)

The contract dispute that threatened to damage the Emmy-winning harmony of “Modern Family” was resolved late Friday night and the show’s co-creator, Steve Levitan believes it will have no lingering effects on the ABC sitcom.

“We’re going to be fine. I promise you,” he said. “I’m not even sugar-coating it. It was all hugs and laughs at the table read (on Thursday). It’s just that too many people were involved. The stakes are too big. It (was) almost inevitable. It will blow over. Everybody will be happy and tight again on Monday morning.”

Levitan made his comments during an ABC press tour party Friday night, only a couple of hours before it was officially announced that the six adult actors on ABC’s top-rated comedy have agreed in principle to new contracts with producer 20th Century Fox Television.

The agreement ended a barrage of intense salary negotiations that led to a lawsuit. According to the Hollywood Reporter, which cited a source close to negotiations, the deals for cast members Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet and Sofia Vergara will deliver substantial raises over their current salaries of about $65,000 per episode (Ed O’Neill, an established star when the show began, made about $105,000 for Season 3) to slightly more than the $150,000 for the upcoming fourth season that Fox offered on Monday.

One source told The Reporter, that with bonuses, the cast will be paid about $170,000 or $175,000 an episode for the upcoming 22-episode season.

Levitan said it was “unfortunate that things got to a public place,” but expressed relief that the dispute was short-lived.

“I value our cast greatly,” he said. “I’m happy about their success. They’re a huge part of our success, obviously, and I’m happy that they’re going to get what they deserve.”